Della Estovia was a vast terrain of rivers and falls of flaming molten rock with ruins of ancient stone buildings and bridges. The bitter dry air was hard to breathe and the ground was periodically covered with predator roaches. Worn trails looped around the entire open cavern in an endless maze of sharp-edged pumice walls preventing the short Nums from climbing up to see a way out.
Running on and off for nearly an hour through the rock labyrinth, Thorik pulled Avanda around yet another corner. “Keep moving so we don’t have bugs climbing up our legs.”
“I am,” she replied as the crunching of insects under her feet made it obvious that she was at a quick stride. “But we’re going around in circles. We’ll end up right back where we started.”
Thorik made a quick decision on the approaching junction as they ran toward it. “No, it just seems that way. We’re getting close to one of the bridges I saw before we escaped the top of the column.”
“Don’t you have a Runestone that can help us find our way out?”
“We don’t have the time to try them all right now.”
“Then use the Runestone of Courage so we can see the ghosts.”
Thorik led them around the bin at the junction. “What good will that do us?”
“We can ask them how to get out of here.”
“If they knew that, they would have already used it to escape.”
Avanda realized he was right, but she also knew they couldn’t keep running forever. “Then let’s ask them what path leads back to the caves so we can hide until we figure out a better plan.”
“It’s too risky.”
Avanda pulled her hand free of his. “The risk is mine to take as well. I haven’t eaten in days, and I can’t run forever. We can’t go on like this, Thorik. We have to try something else.”
Turning to see, Thorik watched her slow down to a fast walk. It was obvious that she wasn’t going to run any longer. “You’re right, it could take us days just to find our way out of this maze, and possibly weeks to get to the surface. We can’t survive that long without food and water.” He then slowed to allow her to catch up. “Staying here won’t help either. Let’s at least keep walking.”
“Why does it always have to be your way? Didn’t the river teach you anything?”
“It’s not always my way. Besides the river would have worked if the undertow hadn’t dragged us on the bottom and snagged our line.”
“Stop justifying your actions. You always think you know the best way to do things. You don’t take my suggestions seriously. The ghosts might be able to help us.”
Reaching his hand out to her encouraged her to keep moving. “Once we get to the bridge, we’ll be able to see over these walls. If we can’t determine a path at that point, we’ll try talking to the local souls.”
She nodded in agreement. “My ideas are just as valid as yours, Thorik. You need to take them seriously.”
“I know. I’m trying.”
“Well, try harder.” The sharpness to her tone was clear.
Thorik didn’t respond. Instead he led her around several more bends in the labyrinth before it opened up to a raised stone bridge which spanned a wide river of red flowing liquid rock. In the center of the thick bridge was a circle of tall marble columns holding up a heavy, and once impressive, roof structure. It appeared to be the remains of a large temple, with most of its walls now rubble. Only a few internal walls still stood, as well as several columns leading up to the building.
Both Nums showed signs of fatigue as they climbed the tall steps leading to the bridge. The lack of food was taking its toll as they dragged their feet as they passed several freestanding columns on their approach to the center structure.
Thorik noticed carvings in the columns, which he had seen before. They were the markings of the Notarians. These were the original species of this land that created all Altered Creatures. And they are the ones that the Mountain King had fought against to free all species and races from them. Only a few of these extremely powerful Notarians still survive, and they are known these days as the three Oracles.
Blocks had fallen from the ceiling of the center edifice, hiding the writings and symbols along the floor tiles. A thick metal ring had been placed in the center of the floor, surrounding a hole a few yards in diameter. The flowing lava could be seen below, from within the ring.
Thorik stepped up onto the highest block of fallen debris in an effort to see as far as possible. In the distance, he could see the mighty Bakalor passed out in his enormous throne. In the opposite direction, he could see the edge of the cavern. Its walls were littered with tunnel openings, but which one would grant them access to escape?
Leaning one way and then the other, Thorik attempted to see beyond one of the large ceiling-high crystals which blocked his view. It stood just beyond the other side of the bridge, at the base of the steps, and its width was as wide as the Bakalor’s shoulders.
Avanda looked for an escape route as well. “What do you see?”
“A maze with no obvious end.” He felt slightly defeated. “But if I could just see past that crystal. There might be something I’m missing.”
“Thorik, you promised to try asking the spirits.”
“Only after I’ve tried this first.”
“You did try, now let’s move on.”
“But I can’t see past the crystal. Maybe if I climb over to the side,” he said to himself.
“Thorik! Why is there is always one more thing you’re going to try before you do what I suggest?”
Snapping him out of his thought, he knew that tone in her voice. She was about to become unmanageable. “Don’t get upset, I was just thinking out loud. I was getting ready to try your idea.”
“Sure you were.” Her arms were folded tightly in front of her.
Thorik climbed back down off the fallen ceiling blocks, and removed his sack of Runestones. The close proximity of the glowing light-blue crystal column made it easy to find the Runestone of Courage. With few distractions, he was able to merge his mind and energy with the stone causing the center gem to light up. However, his lack of nutrition, dehydration and lack of sleep made it difficult to keep the link between them under control.
It had been over a week since they had eaten anything other than bugs, and sleep had been in the form of passing out for a few minutes at a time due to exhaustion. If it hadn’t been for nearly drowning in the river, they wouldn’t have had any water either.
Avanda had moved closer to Thorik, to ensure none of the spirits would touch her. However, she had nothing to fear, for as thousands of spirits began to appear throughout the surrounding maze, none were on the bridge.
Thorik opened his tired eyes from his meditation. “Avanda, hurry! Find out if they can lead us to an escape tunnel.”
Avanda knew that meant leaving the safety of the bridge and returning to the pumice walls. “Why do they all avoid the bridge?”
“I don’t know? Perhaps spirits can’t climb steps.” He forced a smile.
“But insects can, and they aren’t up here either. Everything seems fearful of this bridge. Perhaps we shouldn’t be on it.”
“It’s the safest place we’ve found so far. Avanda, I don’t have the strength to hold this all day. Find out what they know.”
Avanda pulled at him to follow her, but his weakened condition caused his movement to reduce their ability to see the spirits. She was only able to move him to the top step before he sat down from exhaustion.
“Just go to the edge of the steps. If they can’t approach us, then you’ll be safe from their touch. I need to sit and rest if I plan to keep this Runestone active.” As difficult as it was to keep the Runestone performing its task, it was mild compared to the initial activation of them. Thorik wasn’t sure if he had the capacity to reactivate it closer to the bottom step if he were to lose his connection on the way down.
Apprehensive about heading down the steps alone, even if this was her idea, Avanda slowly moved toward the passing semi-trans
parent figures.
“Hello?” She looked for a kind word in return. Instead, she noticed a look of fear in their eyes.
“Get off the sacred aerie!” one spirit shouted. Another repeated the warning.
“I don’t understand,” she replied.
“He’ll see you!” one of them yelled.
“The birthplace of his children cannot be disturbed,” moaned from another.
Avanda shook her head. “I don’t care about that! I need to know how to escape. We shouldn’t be here. We need to return to the surface.”
“Leave the sacred nest before it’s too late!” another spirit warned. “Crystals are the only freedom.”
“What does that mean?”
“The bridge is his children’s birth place. Stay clear!”
Avanda refused to leave without an answer so she continued to ask them for assistance.
Meanwhile, Thorik sat on the top step as he concentrated on the Runestone before him. It seemed like he had been focusing on it for hours, even though it had only been a few minutes. Craning his neck back and then to the side, he stretched it a few times before opening his eyes in hopes of seeing his companion returning with the information they needed.
Instead what he saw caused him to lose full concentration of the Runestone.
The spirits disappeared.
Avanda looked up the steps at Thorik who was now in a horrified gaze. Climbing the steps as quickly as she could, she reached the top step and turned around to see what had struck him with fear. “What is it? I don’t see anything.”
Thorik pointed out in front of them. “There, beyond that third crystal column is Bakalor’s throne.”
“Yes, I see it. So?”
“He’s not in it.”
It took a moment for his concern to register in her mind. “He’s awake!”
“And looking for us!”
Both of the Nums immediately stood up and started racing across the bridge in hopes of hiding in the far maze before the demon made it this far.
A thunderous roar cracked from behind them, as rocks scraped against each other and snapped under tremendous pressure. Bakalor lifted out of the ground at the bottom of the steps to the bridge as rocks flew in every direction. “Get out of the nursery!” he yelled with such force that it shook the bridge.
The Nums evaded the falling debris from the eruption of Bakalor’s entrance as they headed into the structure in the center of the bridge to hide from him. As fruitless a plan as it was, their only other option was to jump over the edge into the molten lava. Hiding was obviously a more preferable choice.
Bakalor took chase, stepping quickly up onto the stone bridge. Flames increased across his body as he approached the building in anger. “Get out!” he demanded, swinging his arms in frustration.
Thorik realized that the demon couldn’t reach up through the ground and grab them as long as they stayed on the bridge. In fact, it appeared that he couldn’t manipulate the stones of this bridge at all, perhaps because it was built by the Notarians. Then again, that wouldn’t matter much if the demon knocked the structure down on top of the Nums.
Bakalor was outraged at the Num’s invasion into his sacred place. The columns were just close enough from each other to prevent the demon from coming inside, without destroying it. Grabbing one of the stone columns, which led up to the temple, he ripped it from its foundation and swung it like a club at the roof. His intent was to scare the Nums out of his sacred place. However, he had underestimated the remaining strength of the building.
Cracks spread like lightning across the ceiling and chunks of stones began to fall upon the Nums. The structural integrity of the building had been compromised and a second attack could finish it off.
“Run!” Thorik yelled to Avanda, pushing her toward the far side of the bridge.
She did what he asked as the bridge shook as the demon’s feet pounded on the other side. Racing across to the far steps, Avanda turned, only to realize that Thorik hadn’t followed her. He was standing just inside the building, taunting the demon in an effort to keep Bakalor’s focus on himself.
Nevertheless, Bakalor noticed Avanda’s escape beyond the building’s walls. Instead of hitting the roof again with his column club, he leaned over the side of the bridge and threw it at her. The stone column twirled through the air toward the young Num.
Leaping off the top step, she dove and rolled down the bridge’s staircase just as the weapon struck. Crushing the top of the stairs, it cracked and bounced before one end crashed near her as the other side slammed into the thick crystal just beyond the steps.
Fragments of crystals sprayed in every direction. Light blue shards coated Avanda’s body as she covered her face to protect herself. Then the stone column broke into several large pieces before coming to a rest near the base of the crystal column.
Slowly opening her eyes, Avanda looked at the damaged glowing crystal, which went all the way up through the cavern’s ceiling. The inside of the crystal was hollow and gave off a pleasant and inviting light. Brushing off the dust and crystal fragments, she quickly moved toward it.
Peeking her head up inside, she saw a bright light which surprisingly didn’t hurt her eyes. In fact, it felt good and refreshing as she sensed family within the light inviting her in. Her hair flapped in her face as she gazed upon the light. A stiff breeze was pulling her into it. So much though, that she had to brace herself in order to prevent herself from being sucked up into the crystal.
“Thorik!” she yelled over her shoulder. “I found our way out!”
Thorik couldn’t hear her over Bakalor’s growling which caused the walls to quake and the Num’s body to vibrate.
“If you want me out of here, you’re going to have to come in here and get me!” Thorik taunted. His hopes of riling up the demon could pay off if the heavy ceiling crashed down on Bakalor and killed him, or at least knocked him out long enough for the two Nums to get away.
Not used to anyone threatening him, the demon took the bait and began to enter. His shoulder hit the columns instantly and debris began to rain down from the ceiling.
Bakalor stopped and watched the sight before glancing over at Thorik, who was poised to leap out the other side of the building once it began to fall.
Slowly pulling back, the demon gained control of his anger. “Clever. I forgot how deceiving you can be.”
Thorik was so close to his plan working that he refused to give up on it. “What? Has a mere Num outlasted the mighty Bakalor? How will you ever live with such a defeat? Come and strike me down now, or are you too much of a coward?”
Bakalor paused, took a deep breath, and then laughed. “You have no idea on where you stand, do you?”
“It doesn’t matter where I stand. What matters is that I stand here, defying you and laughing at your inability to defeat a Num.”
The demon fully composed himself and then grinned, knowing he had the upper hand. “Let me show you where you are.” Reaching down, he grabbed one of his stone toes and, with a quick twist, he snapped it right off. The demon screamed in pain for a moment before recovering. He then took the toe, about the size of Thorik, and rolled it into the structure.
Thorik moved back behind a column, assuming he was rolling it at him, but it quickly became apparent that he was not the target.
The boulder of a toe rolled into the center of the building, and into the open metal ring. As it fell into the hole, the metal ring flashed a molten red and gave off a misty vapor that settled across the floor. The toe fell through the ring and into the flowing river of magma.
Thorik looked up at Bakalor’s pleased face, unsure as to what had just happened.
“I have just given you the privilege of seeing my son’s birth. I shall call him Grub. Isn’t that what you Nums call your meal? Because, that is what you are about to become. So, in a sense I’ve named him after you.”
Thorik had no idea what was about to happen, so he slowly started backing away.
 
; Spraying out and up from the river, and back through the metal ring, was a large glob of glowing magma. Bakalor’s toe had been heated into a molten ball. Landing just to the side of the ring, it started to form.
The round glob of molten rock began to cool and form body features. Soon, he stood the height of a Num on two massive legs with long sharp claws on his feet. Four thick muscular arms extended from his round torso, one set at his shoulders while the other set just above his hips. Nevertheless, his arms were not his odd feature, for he had no neck or head on his shoulders. Instead, a large gaping mouth opened up in his stomach. Dozens of sharp teeth extended from outside his mouth while a second set could be seen inside the creature’s mouth. “I am here for you, your Grace,” it announced, as its long claws and teeth from a prominent under bite began to form.
The heat emanating from the demon’s son was so intense that Thorik felt his skin start to burn in spite of his distance.
Thorik turned from the sight and ran toward Avanda, knowing that once the creature received his orders, Thorik would be burned alive.
“Grub, kill the Nums!” Bakalor pointed at Thorik before stepping away from the structure and leaping back down onto the ground where he had originally erupted up from.
Grub took pursuit. Rolling forward, he quickly began to catch up to the Num.
Avanda had pulled herself away from the broken crystal and was on her way up the stairs when she saw Thorik jumping down them. “The crystal!” she shouted, turning herself around to head back down.
Grub arrived at the top of the steps and Thorik could feel the creature’s heat on his back as he grabbed Avanda’s hand to pull her to safety.
Avanda pulled back. “No! Climb into the broken crystal. We’ll be safe there.”
Thorik had no time to argue. He followed her lead toward the large hollow crystal.
Grub rolled down the stairs with ease as he caught up to them.
The Nums leaped from the bottom step and landed on the ground long enough to make one final jump to safety inside the broken crystal column. As they flew through the air, they knew that this was their only chance of survival. Fortunately, they were on course to land inside the hollow column and succeed.
Springing up from the ground, just before the Nums landed inside the crystal, was a giant stone hand. Bakalor’s hand reached up and caught them both in midair, before closing his rock finders around them. Again, the Nums were back in Bakalor’s palm.
The Nums bounced around inside the demon’s hand until Bakalor eventually pulled his arm out of the ground, while standing on the far side of the bridge. Opening up his palm, the demon grinned at his captors before closing his fingers again. “Grub! Cover that hole in the crystal with some molten rock before any more souls escape. Afterward, introduce yourself to your siblings before returning to my throne.”
Bakalor sank into the rocks and traveled below the cavern floor, carrying his cargo of two Nums. A few minutes later the demon’s palm reopened, dropping Thorik and Avanda onto the column, near his throne, once more.
“Your courage must be removed, for you will learn to fear me more,” Bakalor announced. “This I can ensure.” And with that he pressed them both down under his enormous fingers and began to strip years of life from their young bodies.
Chapter 9
Battle Plans